With the blue-green algae problem lessened to ensure the event could be run, the Penrith man claimed won Australia’s last major water skiing event of the season.

Ball has endured a tough season, with strong results few and far between before changing teams.

Despite a handful of setbacks, he capitalised on his second-place starting position to be the fastest skier with his Superbad team over the 15-lap circuit race. 

Helping Ball to first place was driver Brian Farrell, and observer Matthew Smith from Albury.

Smith’s addition came at the 11^th hour, Ball and Farrell reaching out just days before the race.  

It was Ball’s third attempt at the race, after his team were believed to have won in 2016 before it was realised they completed an extra lap and were disqualified.

Ball was pleased to come away with the win.

“It feels really good to come here and get the monkey off my back, I have never had all that much luck here, so it was great to break through,” Ball said. 

“We were stuck for an observer mid-week, and I spoke to Knightsy (Tempered skier Kris Knights) and he suggested getting Matty Smith in the boat, and he was all keen to take the opportunity and have it fall into place.”